The “Slicing Problem” for Computational Theories of Consciousness
Gómez-Emilsson Andrés, Percy Chris
Open Philosophy December 2, 2022 DOI: 10.1515/opphil-2022-0225 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Computationalism Causal structure Functionalism Physicalism Theories of consciousness Iit Binding problem Slicing problem Thought experiment |
| Key points | Argues that computational theories of consciousness face a dilemma: either they allow mechanisms for multiplying conscious entities via the Slicing Problem thought experiment, or they must accept ambiguous boundaries between conscious units. |
Abstract
The “Slicing Problem” is a thought experiment that raises questions for substrate-neutral computational theories of consciousness, including those that specify a certain causal structure for the computation like Integrated Information Theory. The thought experiment uses water-based logic gates to construct a computer in a way that permits cleanly slicing each gate and connection in half, creating two identical computers each instantiating the same computation. The slicing can be reversed and repeated via an on/off switch, without changing the amount of matter in the system. The question is what do different computational theories of consciousness believe is happening to the number and nature of individual conscious units as this switch is toggled. Under a token interpretation, there are now two discrete conscious entities; under a type interpretation, there may remain only one. Both interpretations lead to different implications depending on the adopted theoretical stance. Any route taken either allows mechanisms for “consciousness-multiplying exploits” or requires ambiguous boundaries between conscious entities, raising philosophical and ethical questions for theorists to consider. We discuss resolutions under different theories of consciousness for those unwilling to accept consciousness-multiplying exploits. In particular, we specify three features that may help promising physicalist theories to navigate such thought experiments.
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Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Qualia Skepticism in Schooling and Deontic Safeguards for Consciousness-Like AI in Education Advances in Computational Intelligence and Robotics December 12, 2025
- Can Lists of Requirements Help Consciousness Research Navigate Its Epistemological Quandaries? Journal of Consciousness Studies February 1, 2025
- Don't forget the boundary problem! How EM field topology can address the overlooked cousin to the binding problem for consciousness. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2023
Cites 14
- Theories of consciousness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience July 1, 2022
- Consciousness in the universe: a review of the 'Orch OR' theory. March 1, 2014
- Does brain activity cause consciousness? A thought experiment PLoS Biology June 10, 2022
- Attentional Structure and Phenomenal Unity Open Philosophy 2022
- Computation and the Function of Consciousness November 12, 2020
and 9 more in the library